TIPTON COUNTY, Ind. — An Elwood man died in a crash after his car was found in a creek north of State Road 38 Saturday morning.
According to a release from the Tipton County Sheriff's Department, shortly after 8:30 a.m. on June 15, deputies responded to State Road 28, just west of the town of Hobbs, on a report of a crash.
Deputies, along with members of the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department, arrived on the scene and found the crashed car in a creek. Responders immediately entered the creek and attempted to provide medical aid to the driver, but unfortunately he were pronounced dead.
According to a preliminary investigation, the driver, identified as 40-year-old Philip "Kyle" Degler, was driving a 2016 Kia Soul westbound on State Road 28 when, for an unknown reason, the Kia left the roadway as it entered a curve on State Road 28. The car reportedly continued traveling northwest through a small corn field before crashing and coming to a stop in the creek.
Police say the investigation is still ongoing and that the Tipton County Coroner's Office, along with Indiana State Police, are working to determine what preceded the crash.
According to the Tipton Community School Corporation, Degler was an English teacher and football coach at Tipton Middle School. Our newsgathering partners at the Kokomo Tribune report Degler was a father to three young children.
A prayer vigil is scheduled for June 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tipton High School football stadium.